Pauline Sisters in Africa Unveil Restyled Logos “to stay relevant in a dynamic world”

“Our dedication to dogma, morals, and liturgy – living and giving Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, just like St. Paul – remains at the heart of everything we do,” the Kenyan-born FSP member said.

Also speaking at the launching of the restyled logo event, the Regional Superior of FSP communities in Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, Sr. Rosemary Mueni Mwaiwa shared the background of the updated institutional logo and trademark in line with the Press Release issued on February 5.

Sr. Rosemary Mueni Mwaiwa. Credit: Paulines Publications Africa (PPA) 

The restyling of the logo that has been in use since 1994 was a fruit of a couple of years of research and analysis, including the examination of FSP-owned media platforms across the globe through the help of Nova Opera Agency.

“On the special occasion of the 60th anniversary of the passing of co-founder Sister Thecla Merlo and the 30th anniversary of the Pauline trademark, the Nova Opera Agency undertook the creation of the new Institutional logo and the restyling of the Pauline Publishing trademark in 2024,” the FSP Press Release reads in part. 

Launched under the theme, “for a renewed proclamation of the Gospel as ‘innovators by vocation’", the restyled logo for both the Daughters of St. Paul and Pauline Publishing has symbols, which are explained in the February 5 FSP Press Release.

Sr. Praxides display the new restyled Logo (left) against the old Logo on the right. Credit: ACI Africa

“The stylized ellipse represents the world in which Paulines are called to proclaim the Gospel. Retaining the essence of the 1994 design, it now features an open and inclusive line,” FSP members say, adding, “The blue color, in tandem with the elliptical movement, invokes the digital realm and electromagnetic waves, symbolizing the aspiration to be apostles of the 21st century.”

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa (PPA) 

They further say in their Press Release, “The letter P, sporting the same distinctive red color as in 1994, represents the pastoral zeal of Paul— their model in living a life in Christ and the inspiration for their mission.”

The letter P, FSP members add, represents the first letter in certain languages, such as “Palabra, Palavra, (Parola)... to run and be disseminated globally.”

Credit: ACI Africa

“Lastly, the inscription ‘Pauline,’ positioned beneath the P, signifies the foundation and steadfastness, akin to the roots of a towering tree. This secure base allows the P of Paul and the Word of God to ascend, reaching out to the entire world,” FSP members explain in their Press Release.

Meanwhile, the FSP Institutional logo, which bears the name 'Daughters of St. Paul' “encapsulates the deep connection that binds them to the Apostle of the Gentiles, so much so that they have earned the nickname 'Paulines' in many parts of the world,” according to the Press Release. 

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa (PPA) 

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They add referring to the institutional logo, “The ellipse, shared with the Pauline trademark, represents the Congregation and the mission of evangelization. Deliberately open and inclusive, it embraces the Cross-Book, which evokes the emblem of the Daughters of St Paul, St Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles and the Word to be proclaimed.”

Credit: ACI Africa

“We the Daughters of St. Paul have chosen to represent the congregation with a logo inspired by our distinctive emblem,” Sr. Mwaiwa said during the March 8 event.

She went on to thank participants at the Nairobi event, and stakeholders, who facilitated the realization of the restyled logos.

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa (PPA) 

“Today's rapidly changing context in the world of communication provides the impetus for us Daughters of St. Paul to update our visual identity,” the FSP Regional Superior said, adding that they strive for effective communication in contemporary society, engaging peripherals, including “websites, social networks, books, and multimedia, as well as the many other venues in which it will be possible to be present, today and tomorrow.”

The new Institutional Logo. Credit: ACI Africa

In her input during the March 8 event, the Directress of PPA emphasized the place of “various media platforms” in the apostolate of FSP members.

Alluding to the FSP members’ charism of “living Christ and communicating Him to the world in the field of social communication in the spirit of St. Paul and in the atmosphere of Mary, Queen of Apostles,” Sr. Praxides said, “We are innovators by vocation, using various media platforms to reach as many people as possible with the message of Christ.”

Credit: ACI Africa

She added, addressing herself to participants in the March 8 event, both in person and virtually, “As we embrace new possibilities in the Church and the world, we invite you to join us in spreading the Gospel of Christ with the same ardent spirit as St. Paul.” 

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa (PPA) 

Recognizing March 8, the day of the launching of the restyled logos, as the International Women’s Day (IWD), the Nairobi-based FSP member thanked Blessed James Alberione, who founded their Congregation in Italy in 1916, for believing in women’s “potential to play a vital role in the Pauline mission.”

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa (PPA) 

“Blessed James Alberione recognized women's unique ability in shaping families, society, and the Church. He saw them ‘apostles’ who could collaborate with the Church and lead families and communities towards moral and religious well-being,” Sr. Praxides said.

In his remarks at the end of the Eucharistic celebration that he presided over, Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi thanked FSP members for their ministry and service in his Metropolitan See and beyond.

Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi. Credit: ACI Africa

Archbishop Anyolo recognized with appreciation the explanation of the FSP restyled logos, saying, “I want to say that this has been helpful even to myself because I now understand what your logo represents.”

Credit: Paulines Publications Africa (PPA)

“May God bless you for bringing clarity in evangelization work of the Church,” the Kenyan Catholic Archbishop implored.